Last holiday was in 2006

[Timefortravel]

For serious health reasons, overseas travel was impossible for a few years from 2007-2011. That period was followed by lots of stressful, unpleasant and generally difficult times within the immediate and extended family, plus two house moves. The good news is that we've now got through most of that but it's all taken its toll (particularly on me).

DS has had a challenging childhood one way and another and is now 18. He wants us to go on a "proper holiday" which is totally understandable. He's been on annual summer camps in the UK that he's loved and has had a couple of short breaks with friends plus one school trip to Spain so he's had regular breaks but he's not been on an overseas family holiday.

It will probably be just him and me and DH will stay home. We're thinking of going somewhere in June for 7-10 days but I've no idea where to start. DS isn't bothered about lots of sightseeing instead preferring to "just chill".

I'm a light sleeper so need a quiet environment at night and feel a bit anxious about foreign travel after such a long time but I want to make this a special time for/with my DS. I'm open to air or train/boat travel although don't fancy a long-haul flight. Self-catering, half board or all inclusive will all be considered. Even possibly a mini cruise.

Would love to hear your recommendations please!

Cruise

What does he want from a proper holiday - beach/culture etc lots of options

Your brief is very wide!

What's your budget?

Do you want hot / beach / city / mix?

Personally I'd look at Ibiza, short flight, short transfer, super chill if you go to the right places, all sorts of accommodation, the Old Town is worth a look and you can take a day trip to Formentera.

If he wants to be around people AI would be your best bet.

Since he's 18 and he's the one who wants to go on holiday, have you asked him where he'd like to go or what he means by 'a proper holiday'? He's old enough to help you research and plan and IMO he's too old to just have mum do the whole thing and present him with a fait accompli. So sit down and discuss some options together.

If long haul is off the table, is there something he's always wanted to see in Europe? Has he always wanted to visit e.g. the Eiffel Tower, Rome, the Sagrada Familia, the Greek Islands, the Alps, Ibiza, Prague, thermal hot springs ... Is there something he's studying that makes a certain kind of trip both fun and relevant to that? Does he want to go clubbing or kayaking, does he like the idea of somewhere hot or does he really not like hot weather?

You need to narrow things down a bit before we can give you good suggestions.

I would suggest for a "proper holiday" - AI, beach, a pool with waterslides/swim-up bar and sun 🌞

So somewhere like Rhodes. We stayed at at the Cyprotel Faleraki and it was brilliant!

Thank you for your replies.

From what we've discussed, he'd prefer a relaxing break rather than a cram-it-all in holiday. So possibly/probably beach, definitely not skiing and definitely not lots of culture. He's certainly not expecting me to do all the donkey work on this - I just came on here for some suggestions from MN. He did mention Amsterdam ...

I'll definitely look at Cyprotel Faleraki [I've never been to Greek Islands]. Budget is slightly open-ended but that's mostly because I don't know what we'll need to spend as I'm so out of touch.

Has anyone experience of Med cruises - are they suitable for young adults?

It's easy to get an idea of price if you go on some of the bigger websites and put in a range of destinations and departure dates. As an example, the Tui website shows that 10 nights at the Cyprotel Faliraki, AI, dep 24 June from Gatwick is £1225.81pp.

The Tui website is also useful as a starting point for prices for Med cruises, although there are of course many different options and lots of different cruise lines and departure points to choose from. For 7 nights, Tui's offerings, which sail from Bournmouth, start at about £1300pp and for 14 nights they're around £2000pp (both for the cheapest, inside cabins).

Thanks, Maranella. I was just looking at Cyprotel Faliraki and thought those prices looked reasonable especially for AI (which is appealing!).

The cruise prices are not surprising - we'd probably go for 7 nights.

I think I need to take myself off to the local travel agent to see what they've got to offer.

An 18 year would hate that!

Yes I don’t think a cruise works. Greek islands are good. Tenerife is nice

I took mine aged 18 and 20 on a med cruise and it was a great success, I have often suggested it on here.
However I don't think it's quite what you are after for a first holiday. Mine had been on beach holidays from childhood and the cruise was a way of adding in some sightseeing. It's not restful IMO because you have to get up and go every day to make the most of whichever beautiful place you are in that day.

Budget makes all the difference.
June is a great time to go as you will have lots of choice and no school children.
My youngest (23) came with us last year to Lanzarote. Good hotel, good food, lovely walks, a few bars with music for an evening and some interesting day trips if you want them.

Have a look at Jet2 Playa Blanca or Puerto Del Carmen.
We just had a fanatstic week at the Iberostar Lanzarote Park. Costs about ££2500 AI for two adults at this time of year, more in June.

Fairysilver Haha before DS we used to go to Lanzarote every year, staying in a villa next door to Iberostar!

I hear what you say about a cruise and think maybe it would be a bit "busy" for DS. Canary Islands sound a better bet. Thank you for the insight.

If you go on Royal Carribean, Holland America or Celebrity Children and teens are well catered for ours loved it.

If you're going to the Canaries, I loved Fuerteventura so much more than Lanzarote or Tenerife, but then I really don't like vulcanic sand beaches.

Oh that's interesting Funf - I'll get my DS to have a look.

XelaM I'll put that to my DS but suspect he'd prefer the beach - but I have been wrong before so he may surprise me!

Than you both.

It's true Fuertaventura has one of the best beaches I've ever seen. The beaches at Lanzarote are not black volcanic sand though. Some are man made and others just normal sand.
I think by 18 my DSs were more keen on hotel pools, especially if there were pool sports such as water polo organised.

If he likes 'relaxing' I think cruise will be something he likes. It's like an AI but with sight seeing throws in.

However, if he mentions Amsterdam, that sounds like he's not wanting to go lie next to the pool? In that case, you can do a relaxing city break. Amsterdam is very easy to get around. I usually book a hotel with breakfast. I have a list of things I like to see and also days they aren't open. (Museums are usually closed on Mondays). Some you also need advance tickets. I usually only have one thing a day, and then spend time eating out, walking around and look at things.

Thanks everyone.

Things have moved on and DS is now going to go away with a friend which will be much better for him than being stuck with me. They've narrowed down the choices and are set on an AI hotel in Faliraki, Rhodes that sounds ideal. Better still, he's going to pay for it all himself. Result!